AM Fighter Interview: Anderson Silva

Anderson "The Spider" Silva is the current reigning UFC Middleweight champion, having successfully defended his belt four times while being a perfect 8-0 since entering the UFC, including a win in the Light Heavyweight division. Silva is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world; he's consistenly listed as one of the top three fighters in ranked lists. Having bested top fighters such as Rich Franklin, Nate Marquardt and Dan Henderson, Silva appears to be unstoppable: he's definitely a force to be reckoned with. Silva’s Muay Thai skills are second to none — he has one of the most devastating Thai clinches in the UFC — and he also boasts a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. These skills have made Silva a dangerous opponent in the Octagon, both standing up and on the ground.

At UFC 97: Redemption in Montreal on April 18, Anderson Silva will seek to defend his UFC Middleweight championship in Montreal against No. 1 contender Thales Leites, who hopes to continue his winning ways in the UFC by giving Silva his first UFC loss.

The UFC

What do you think of UFC Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre?

Georges St-Pierre is a good fighter who is proving his place in MMA with every fight.

What do you think of a possible dream fight between you and Georges St-Pierre?

I’m always training to fight the best fighters in the world, and if the UFC wants me to fight Georges St-Pierre, then I will fight him. We will just have to wait and see if a fight with St-Pierre would take place in the future.

Dan Henderson and Nate Marquardt have both said that their goal is to fight you again for the Middleweight championship. Do rematches with either of them interest you?

I am always training to fight the best fighters in the world; if Dana White wants a rematch between me and Dan Henderson or Nate Marquardt, then I will fight them. I don’t pick my opponents.

Assuming you defeat Thales Leites, who do you think most deserves to fight you next for the title?

There are many tough fighters in my weight class; they all pose their difficulties and are all a threat in the Octagon, but like I said, I am ready to fight the best. I am ready to fight whoever the UFC puts in front of me. Will you be helping your friend Lyoto Machida train for his upcoming title fight against Rashad Evans?

Lyoto Machida lives far from where I live in Brazil, but we try to train together whenever possible. I also think that Machida is such a good fighter that he will dominate the UFC Light Heavyweight division for some time. You have completely dominated the Middleweight division and you have one win in the Light Heavyweight division — would you consider jumping to the incredibly stacked Light Heavyweight division?

If Dana White wants me to fight in the Light Heavyweight division, then I will be ready, but I have no interest in fighting for the UFC Light Heavyweight title — that belt belongs to Lyoto.

Is there a fighter in the UFC whom you would like to fight in any division?

Not in particular, but I would like to fight my clone one day.

Besides yourself, who do you think are the best fighters in the UFC?

There are many great fighters in the UFC; some of my favorites are Rodrigo Nogueira, Lyoto Machida and BJ Penn, but aside from these guys, the UFC has many great fighters in every division.

Check out what Anderson Silva has to say about his training and retirement...